Security challenge:onus on young officers says Army Vice Chief

Chennai, Sep 20 (UNI) Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen M L Naidu today said young officers had a vital role to play in the wake of changing and challenging security environment.

Reviewing a Passing out parade at Officer's Training Academy (OTA) here, the country's premium defence training establishment, he said external threat had acquired a new dimension through global terrorism.

''The synergy between high technology, modern means of communications, sophisticated instant banking system and religious fundamentalism had made terrorist attacks virtually an act of war against a democratic society'', he said, calling for concerted efforts to put an end to this menace.

In all, 153 gentleman cadets were today formally commissioned as Officers in the Army.

The passing-out parade was commanded by Academy Under Officer Arvinder Singh.

Various awards were presented by the Reviewing Officer during the parade. The 'Sword of Honour' for best all-round gentleman cadet was presented to Academy Under Officer Arvinder Singh.

Gold medal for standing first in overall order of merit was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Ajay Bahadur Singh and Silver medal to Arvinder Singh.